1972 Gibson LPC '54 reissue question - about value ?

[newguy]

Hi Guys,
I have been looking for a 54 Le Paul Custom Reissue for awhile now. These guitars don't show up often, not even the recent reissues.

There is one at the bay right now, I was wondering if any knowledgable people could help me figuring out how much this particular guitar would go for?


So, with the seller's own words: "The original owner changed the tuners, and installed a "Bad Ass" bridge. Since then, my Luthier filled the tuner and bridge holes and replaced with correct tuners. He also replaced the Bad Ass bridge with gold correct style bridge. The pickups are original, but not totally sure if any wiring has been changed. Pickguard is a replacement."

I think those caps in the control cavity don't look like originals but I am not sure. What do you think ?

So how much do you guys think this one is worth ?
I know there is another one at reverb.com for 6K and it is 100% original.

I am actually looking for a player's grade guitar with a decent price tag on it. So, this guitar is up my alley but I want to make sure I don't offer more than what it is worth.

Thanks in advance, guys!


Gibson Les Paul '54 Reissue 711106952611 | eBay

 

[LPPILOT]

Always buy the best you can afford . The more expensive nice example maybe had cheaper as well .....have you inquired.

Cash is king . Most people will take a big chunk off asking price when you hold cash under their nose.......they get weak......check out Vintage guitar mag. Those guitars show up more than you think.

I would try and buy the better guitar cheaper first . It will always be easier to sell and retain your investment .

Be patient , very patient .....it will pay off .

 

[ColdCobra]

I have an all original one and payed more than that, less than 6k.

A recent all original one went for low 5k's I think. (Not sure if all original, and obviously I don't know actual sale price but it was in that price range when it sold)

So its a fair price I'd say. Not a steal, but not overly high. I'm not a vintage gear expert, just a guy that watches Norlin prices.

 

[newguy]

Always buy the best you can afford . The more expensive nice example maybe had cheaper as well .....have you inquired.

Cash is king . Most people will take a big chunk off asking price when you hold cash under their nose.......they get weak......check out Vintage guitar mag. Those guitars show up more than you think.

I would try and buy the better guitar cheaper first . It will always be easier to sell and retain your investment .

Be patient , very patient .....it will pay off .

I actually got caught off guard on this one. I was thinking about selling my 79 LPC first to raise some funds so I can justify paying around 5 grand, you know. Before, I put my LPC on the market, I saw this one on Ebay. So, I was thinking about either buying one online or credit card or keep looking for one with cash in hand after selling my 79 Custom.


I love my 79 Custom but I really really have a soft spot for those 54 LPC's and I have been waiting to raise some dough but then I purchased an R8, which is an awesome guitar. Now I am a lil bit low on cash...

 

[newguy]

I have an all original one and payed more than that, less than 6k.

A recent all original one went for low 5k's I think. (Not sure if all original, and obviously I don't know actual sale price but it was in that price range when it sold)

So its a fair price I'd say. Not a steal, but not overly high. I'm not a vintage gear expert, just a guy that watches Norlin prices.

Thx Cold Cobra. 5K for a 100% original and in decent condition sounds like a good deal.

I have a feeling that I will bond with one of these very easily and will keep it so I actually don't care much if it is 100% original as long as it doesn't have any major problems, you know.


Do you think those caps are original ?

 

[ARandall]

I thought they used the black beauty caps in early 70's.

It is deceptively difficult with guitars this old. A nice original one might be like this because it was bought and forgotten/left under a bed for a few decades, or thats its such a poor example that it gets little play time.
Conversely an old worn guitar could be an absolute player, or have been abused during its life.

I think that this guitar seems to have been used but not abused. If it were me I'd pick it up in a hearbeat, but I like wear on a guitar. My 74 custom is in about the same nick, and plays really well.

 

[b_rogers]

Those caps are the same as in my 75 deluxe.

 

[newguy]

How about the pots ? They look rough on the outside, is it because of the humidity ?

 

[newguy]

So, as it turns out, previous owner drilled holes to install a Badass bridge and the recent owner got the holes filled, closed and painted over. I guess he got the same thing done for the extra holes at the back of the headstock after he put back the original tunes.

So, with all these mods, how much do you think this baby would go for ?

 

[b_rogers]

Im far from even being halfway competent on Norlins, but If I had the cash and wasn't buying the guitar to resell...That is keep it forever and play it I wouldn't hesitate to pay 3K-3200 for it. Those things have a great reputation as killer players and are in high demand. Thats just me, those things give me wood.

 

[johnnyk]

from the Ebay ad:
"The case is original, and the correct "Artist" style model that came with these reissues."

Say what? I haven't heard of this kind of case coming stock with this model
We need HOT-BRIT or Progrocker to chime in here...

To OP - I keep track of the Ebay ads: the most recent prices posted were:
$5449, $7500, $7995, $9000, and $8995. Don't know if they sold for those prices but that's what the auction started at.

BTW,I have one of these guitars and love it.

 

[newguy]

Im far from even being halfway competent on Norlins, but If I had the cash and wasn't buying the guitar to resell...That is keep it forever and play it I wouldn't hesitate to pay 3K-3200 for it. Those things have a great reputation as killer players and are in high demand. Thats just me, those things give me wood.

I totally get the similar kind of wood, hence I am after one of them

 

[newguy]

from the Ebay ad:
"The case is original, and the correct "Artist" style model that came with these reissues."

Say what? I haven't heard of this kind of case coming stock with this model
We need HOT-BRIT or Progrocker to chime in here...

To OP - I keep track of the Ebay ads: the most recent prices posted were:
$5449, $7500, $7995, $9000, and $8995. Don't know if they sold for those prices but that's what the auction started at.

BTW,I have one of these guitars and love it.

Johnny,
Thanks for the heads up about the case. I had no clue.
By the way, most of those Ebay sales didn't go through. I remember checking them out. There was one for 5K or something like that. That one sold fast.

There is one at the reverb.com right now for 12K. People love to see if they can find an innocent victim who will pay 12K for one of the reissues whereas you could get an original one for 20K+.

 

[ColdCobra]

12k is way high for a reissue like you said. I thought originals were quite a bit higher than 20k though...

Nevertheless, if you really want it and the mods professionally done, 4500 is a fair price. 3200 would be an absolute steal.

I wouldn't think twice about the tuners or caps, both easily fixed. The bridge might give me pause. I'm talking as a player here, not a collector.

 

[newguy]

So here is the skinny for some of the issues with the guitar

1)At one point, previous owner installed a Badass bridge, now holes are filled and it looks like a decent repair job but holes are obviously there.

2)Bridge, tailpiece and studs look like new, so I am almost positive they are not originals.

3)Tuners have been replaced at some point but correct tuners are back on it, however there are small filled holes at the back of the headstock.

4) Caps are not original.

Do you guys think I should still pursue this guitar because they are not showing up often or should I wait for the next one ?

 

[newguy]

More pix...

 

[ColdCobra]

Still not worried about the mods - as a player. More leverage to bargain the price DOWN get it at a players price!

 

[newguy]

Still not worried about the mods - as a player. More leverage to bargain the price DOWN get it at a players price!

Sent you a PM. Hope you don't mind

 

[Progrocker111]

The wiring looks very strange, caps arent original too. Stay away and wait on another.

The neck seems to me to be refinished too, notice the finish on back of headstock.

 

[newguy]

The wiring looks very strange, caps arent original too. Stay away and wait on another.

The neck seems to me to be refinished too, notice the finish on back of headstock.

I know there is a touch up around the old tuner holes, do you think the whole neck is refinished ?